Youth coach says ‘Barcelona star will win Ballon d’Or in six years’ as he is ‘better than Mbappe’

Inocente Diaz, the youth coach of Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal, believes that Yamal is already a better player than Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, and he confidently predicts that the forward will win the Ballon d’Or award within the next six years.

Yamal’s journey at Barcelona began at the tender age of seven, having started in the smallest category, the Pre-Benjamin team, which is the entry-level for young footballers.

Before joining Barcelona, Yamal played for a club named CF La Torreta. He spent three and a half years there, balancing his time between school and junior football teams. 

On May 31, he visited La Torreta in La Roca del Valles to participate in social events and despite his decade-long tenure at Barcelona, Yamal did not seem to forget his roots. 

The club officials were deeply touched by his connection with the club and its young players. As a token of appreciation, they presented him with a shirt and a shield from the club.

Better than Messi and Mbappe

Diaz, who is also the coordinator at CF La Torreta, shared his thoughts in an interview with SPORT. 

He expressed immense pride and joy about Yamal’s progress. “For us, it is a huge satisfaction to have Lamine here. It was a long-awaited day for us. 

“He has always been a very respectful and formal boy and he is still the same, he knows where he is and what he wants,” said Diaz.

Lamine Yamal had a breakthrough season under Xavi. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Díaz beamed with pride as he reflected on Yamal’s journey from a small club to becoming one of the brightest stars at Barcelona and in the national team. He boldly stated, “In six years, he will win the Ballon d’Or. 

“He is even better than Messi. He possesses a unique blend of physical attributes reminiscent of both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Achieving what he has at just 16 years old is extraordinary.

“This current Barcelona team is different from previous years, and Lamine stands out.”

When asked if Lamine Yamal is already at the level of Mbappe, Díaz didn’t hold back. He declared, “Mbappé will have to fight against him. Lamine is better than Mbappé, the Frenchman has a lot of publicity because he will sign for Madrid, but the future goes through Lamine Yamal.”

Yamal’s story is not just about his impressive skills and potential but also about his humble beginnings and the support he received along the way. 

His commitment to his roots and the high praise from his former coach paint a picture of a young footballer destined for greatness. With his talent and grounded personality, Lamine Yamal seems poised to make a significant impact on the world of football.